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March Madness 2026: First Four Schedule, Teams, and How to Watch

3 months agoUS
March Madness 2026: First Four Schedule, Teams, and How to WatchSource: ncaa.com
March Madness is here! The 2026 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship kicks off with the First Four games in Dayton, Ohio. Here's a guide to the schedule, teams, and how to watch the games that determine the final spots in the round of 64.

Key Insights

The First Four games take place on March 17-18, 2026, at UD Arena in Dayton, Ohio.

Games will be broadcast on truTV and streamed on Sling TV and the March Madness Live app.

The First Four features the four lowest-ranked No. 16 seeds and the final four at-large inclusions (usually No. 11 seeds).

Key matchups include Prairie View A&M vs. Lehigh and Miami (Ohio) vs. SMU.

Why this matters: The First Four sets the stage for the rest of the March Madness tournament. These games provide opportunities for underdogs to shine and for teams to prove their worth before the main bracket play begins.

In-Depth Analysis

The First Four, introduced in 2011, serves as the official start to the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. It involves eight teams vying for a spot in the 64-team bracket.

Schedule and Matchups:

Tuesday, March 17:

No. 16 UMBC vs. No. 16 Howard: UMBC lost to Howard 83-86.

No. 11 Texas vs. No. 11 NC State: Texas defeated NC State 68-66.

Wednesday, March 18:

No. 16 Prairie View A&M vs. No. 16 Lehigh, 6:40 p.m. ET (truTV)

No. 11 Miami (Ohio) vs. No. 11 SMU, 9:15 p.m. ET (truTV)

How to Watch: All First Four games will be broadcast on truTV. Streaming options are available through Sling TV&ref=yanuki.com and the March Madness Live app.

Venue: UD Arena in Dayton, Ohio, has been the primary host of the First Four, except for 2021 when the entire tournament was held in Indiana due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

FAQs

Q: When does March Madness 2026 start?

The Men's NCAA Tournament begins with the First Four on March 17-18.

Q: Where are the First Four games played?

The First Four games are played at UD Arena in Dayton, Ohio.

Q: What channel are the First Four games on?

The First Four games will air on truTV. You can also stream them on SlingTV&ref=yanuki.com and the March Madness Live app.

Key Takeaways

The First Four is the beginning of March Madness, featuring eight teams competing for a spot in the main bracket.

Key dates are March 17-18, 2026.

Games can be watched on truTV and streamed via Sling TV&ref=yanuki.com and the March Madness Live app.

The First Four takes place at UD Arena in Dayton, Ohio.

Discussion

What are your predictions for March Madness 2026? Which First Four team will make the biggest impact in the tournament? Share this article with others who need to stay ahead of this trend!

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